Margaret Atwood has never disappointed me. In her novels she consistently stands up in defence of human rights, women’s rights, freedom, democracy, soMargaret Atwood has never disappointed me. In her novels she consistently stands up in defence of human rights, women’s rights, freedom, democracy, social justice, environment. To me she represents solid integrity which comes loud and clear in her books.
The latest The testaments is no different. Cleverly pulling ideas from the air we all breathe (current and historical events, political issues of today and days past, stories of resistance fighters she knows personally, heroic figures from the past, familiar geography, timely developments) she plotted this very urgent and readable adventure novel in defence of the just world, a novel in which “The world was no longer solid and dependable, it was porous and deceptive” in which fear is the ruler. The well plotted relatable and likeable central characters of Becka, Agnes, Daisy/Jade/Nicole, Ada make the book a very enjoyable read. The tragic, complicit, clever, heroic Aunt Lydia who is such a great mix of characteristics adds some depth to this novel about the resistance to fanaticism and tyranny.
Toronto residents have an extra bonus in the novel’s many familiar recognizable locations based on real places or their amalgams from The Clothes Hound on Queen Street and charming but decrepit former mansions of Parkdale or the Quakers’ meeting house to Etobicoke carpet wholesaler.
Addressed to younger generations of readers the book’s message couldn’t be more clear: don’t take what we have for granted, defend democracy, stand up for women’s rights (=human rights), be aware that there are forces at work that want to take it all away.
Last but not least I loved all the humour and the little quirks, all the nods to the older readers (Loose lips sink ships) which make this essentially millennials novel readable and enjoyable to all of us....more
librarianka
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